It happens to most drivers eventually. Whether you have a blowout or a slow leak, most of us have to change a flat tire sooner or later.

Americans experience more than 220 million flats every year, or about one every seven seconds. Thankfully, changing a flat tire is something most people can do themselves.

It is worth noting that changing a tire does not have to be a do-it-yourself project. If you do not feel comfortable and safe, call AAA or a similar roadside assistance service to do it for you. But if you are game, here are the general steps involved:

• Start With Safety. Pull your car as far from traffic as you can safely get it. If you can get to a parking lot or a street without traffic, do so. If you have to change a tire on a busy street, get as far from traffic as you can and be careful opening doors and walking around the car. Put the car in park, turn off the engine, engage the parking brake, turn on your emergency flashers and deploy safety reflectors or flares. The idea is to make sure oncoming traffic can see you and avoid you.
• Get Out Your Tools. Most cars come with everything you need to change a flat: a lug wrench, a jack and a spare tire. Some cars have a full-size spare and some have a temporary spare, often called a donut tire. Review the owner’s manual to see where everything is located and how it works. Every car is a little bit different, but all have the same three basic components. Get them out and ready to use.
• Jack Up the Car. Loosen the lugs with the lug wrench. Then set the jack under the car, making sure the top is securely touching the frame of the car near the wheel and the bottom is on level, solid ground. Lift the car using the jack until the tire is off the ground.
• Change the Tire. Remove the lug nuts, then remove the tire itself (this is sometimes easier with two people). Place the spare tire on and replace the lug nuts, making each finger tight. You can then carefully lower the jack so that the wheel is again on the ground. When it is down, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts securely.

Before you move on, stop and think through everything to make sure all was done correctly. Did you tighten up every lug? Did you put the tools back in the car? Does the tire look right? It is worth taking a minute to avoid simple mistakes.

When you are back on the road, make sure you get a more permanent repair right away, either patching your flat tire or replacing it entirely. When you do so, make sure the spare is also in good shape. If not, replace that, too. Also, add anything to your emergency kit that will make it easier next time, such as a flashlight or a reflective vest.

Those who drive newer cars may have some advantages in these situations because technology is making life easier when it comes to avoiding flats. Many newer cars have electric tire monitors so the driver can see the inflation level for every tire. This makes it easier to detect leaks and avoid flats.

Some cars also offer run-flat tires, which allow you to drive up to 50 miles on a flat. That makes it much easier to get to a repair shop, or a safer location to change a tire yourself.

If you are interested in some of these features, then it may be time to look for a newer vehicle. You can explore your options right now by getting pre-qualified for auto financing with Credit Acceptance. Fill out the form to see what your budget looks like to buy a newer, potentially safer car.